FirstLook

Cutting Edge Modelworks has created an ambitious
multi-media conversion to transform Trumpeter's 1/48 scale RA-5C
Vigilante into the early bomber version, the A3J-1 (A-5A).

Needless to say, this is a very serious conversion.
To their credit, Cutting Edge has managed to deliver this major makeover
with only 22 parts in
grey resin, plus 3 clear resin parts, without compromising the
substantial changes required to the Vigilante airframe.

The casting on my sample is flawless, as can be
expected from Cutting Edge.

Click
the thumbnails below to view larger images:

This conversion replaces a large chunk of the
plastic supplied by Trumpeter. Inside the box you will find new forward
fuselage halves, new wings with separate slats and flaps, wing pylons,
intakes and spine.

Most resin parts are cast onto blocks, but removal
should mostly be managed with a few minutes on each with a razor saw and
a sanding stick. If you have had some experience working with resin kits
or conversions in the past, you won't encounter any surprises here.

As might be expected, there is a fair amount of
surgery required to prepare the Trumpeter parts for the resin conversion
pieces. In effect, you will be disposing of the entire forward and top
fuselage from the Trumpter kit, and completely replacing the wings.
Fortunately, the Cutting Edge instructions offer a good description of
where (and how) to cut, plus progress photos of a sample build.

The clear resin parts are very good. Even before preparation they are quite transparent and free of
distortion. Clear resin responds very well to a bath of Future floor
polish, so they should genuinely sparkle after treatment.

The inclusion of Black Magic masks is
a thoughtful touch, especially considering the large areas of Dayglo
Orange on a number of the marking options.

Conclusion

If
you are a big fan of US Naval Aviation in general, or the Vigilante in particular, you are going to be more than impressed
with this major conversion. USD$79.99 also seems to be a very reasonable
price considering the large amount of resin, the high quality decals and
the inclusion of two masking sheets.

You will need previous experience with resin
conversions, and the confidence required to cut into an expensive donor
kit. Having said that, though, the instructions are quite clear, so
there will be little ambiguity when undertaking this major project.

Cutting Edge's 1/48 scale A3J-1 (A-5A) Bomber
Conversion is a limited run offering, though, so if you think you might
like to build one, you would be advised to act now!